Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

Pangolin hunting and trafficking in the forest–savannah transition area of Cameroon

Simo, Franklin T., Difouo, Ghislain F., Kekeunou, Sevilor, Ichu, Ichu G., Ingram, Daniel J., Olson, David (2023) Pangolin hunting and trafficking in the forest–savannah transition area of Cameroon. Oryx, . pp. 1-10. ISSN 0030-6053. (doi:10.1017/S0030605322001429) (KAR id:101250)

Abstract

Pangolins have long been hunted for food and scales. Information on local hunting strategies and the patterns of pangolin trafficking around sourcing areas is limited for African range countries, despite the potential of such knowledge to inform monitoring approaches and conservation interventions. Questionnaires were completed with 367 people from 20 villages around two national parks in Cameroon to learn about their hunting practices and local pangolin trading and trafficking patterns. We found that ‘tracking’ was the preferred method of hunting pangolins. Setting traps on dead fallen logs and burrows improved the likelihood of trapping pangolins. White-bellied pangolin Phataginus tricuspis (Rafinesque 1820) was the most traded species and giant pangolin Smutsia gigantea (Illiger 1815) the most sought after. No evidence was found for trade in black-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla [Linnaeus 1766]). Most people said pangolin prices have increased. We also identified a pangolin scale trafficking network operating from rural communities to neighbouring cities. Though most recognize hunting pangolin is illegal, ~30% of respondents indicated that they are engage in pangolin hunting.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1017/S0030605322001429
Uncontrolled keywords: Bushmeat, hunting, illegal wildlife trade, local communities, local ecological knowledge, Manidae, Phataginus, Smutsia
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Funders: University of Kent (https://ror.org/00xkeyj56)
Depositing User: Daniel Ingram
Date Deposited: 12 May 2023 10:02 UTC
Last Modified: 15 May 2023 09:18 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/101250 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.